Q. I enjoy regular exercise, however around my period I often feel too exhausted - why is this and how can I counteract it?

A. Getting to know your body around your menstrual cycle is really important for every active female. Using a tracker can help you to recognise the symptoms - the good news is, this can also help you to optimise training through your whole cycle. Menstrual cycle symptoms are very individual. For some people, premenstrual symptoms can show as fatigue as in your case, and for some increased bloating, or achiness in the joints.

For your fatigue symptoms, it can help to modify activity that week. Add in exercise that is lower impact but beneficial for your recovery such as yoga or Pilates - movement will help even if you feel tired. Make sure you get good quality sleep, hydration and try to have good fats and complex carbohydrates in your diet this phase especially. You can undertake intense exercise, but focus more around lower intensity endurance - than top speed high intensity work.

Dr Rebecca Robinson, OrthTeam Consultant in Sport and Exercise Medicine

Q. I work from home a lot on my laptop, and have started to experience a sore, stiff shoulder, could this be frozen shoulder?

A. The short answer is "yes” it could, but there are other causes that need to be excluded. Frozen shoulder typically causes severe pain initially followed by loss of shoulder movements, particularly rotating the arm or lifting it away from the body. This can result in difficulty with simple activities like putting your arm behind your back, or doing your hair. It's a painful and unpleasant condition, but thankfully easily treatable usually with a guided injection to the shoulder.

There are other conditions such as shoulder arthritis or calcific tendonitis which can mimic frozen shoulder, so an examination and investigations such as X-rays are needed to be sure of the diagnosis.

Mr Barnes Morgan, OrthTeam Consultant Shoulder and Elbow Surgeon

Q. I suffer from knee osteoarthritis, but don't want surgery if possible - what are the alternative options?

A. There are a number of options including Arthrosamid®, which is a safe, single-dose non-biodegradable hydrogel that is injected into the knee to cushion the joint without surgery. Unlike other treatments, it increases lubrication to provide cushioning which relieves pain and soreness, improving a patient’s quality of life. Key benefits include; only one injection required, sustained pain relief and improved flexibility and movement.

At the OrthTeam Centre you will have an initial consultation with one of our knee surgeons, where you will be assessed to determine your suitability for the treatment. If Arthrosamid® is recommended, the procedure will be undertaken by one of our MSK Radiologists. It is an outpatient treatment which takes 30 minutes.

Mr Bilal Barkatali, OrthTeam Consultant Knee Surgeon